Uses for Chromatography in Our Everyday Lives
If you’re not familiar with chromatography, put simply, it’s a method that separates substances or mixtures into their designated components. In other words, chromatography separates components into a mobile phase and a stationary phase so that they naturally separate at different speeds. So, how does this apply to our lives?
Chromatography Helps Us Maintain Healthy Foods
Years ago, there was something known as the “horsemeat scandal;” companies were claiming to sell beef hamburger patties, when they were really using horsemeat. Chromatography was able to separate the compounds within the patties to clearly identify that they weren’t beef patties after all. In addition, chromatography can help manufacturers identify harmful pesticides on fruits and vegetables which are potentially problematic for both farmers and consumers.
Forensic Teams Use Chromatography to Solve Cases
One of the uses for chromatography in our everyday lives applies to forensic professionals. Chromatography is extremely helpful if there’s crime scene evidence or bodily fluids to test, as it’s one of the most accurate methods to measure compounds. These machines can also separate flammable liquids from solids in an attempt to identify the cause of a fire.
Immunization
Although there’s still no cure for the Ebola virus that has swept through countries in recent years, chromatography has been vital in moving towards a cure. For example, because of the sophistication and accuracy of chromatography machines, they’ve highlighted some antibodies that could lead to a breakthrough and possibly a cure.
Now that you have an idea of what the chromatography process is, you also understand a few of the uses for chromatography in our everyday lives. For example, chromatography machines have helped solve problematic food disputes and crimes. In addition, these machines have become essential tools for research in solving cures for major illnesses like Ebola.
If you work in a lab, or if you’re generally interested in these machines, there’s plenty of information available. Consider refurbished gas chromatography machines if your lab needs options that are more budget-friendly.
